Chrysler employees wrapping up contract voting

Chrysler plant employees will wrap up new contract voting early this morning, giving them and United Auto Workers officials some insight into how Belvidere’s decisions affect the national deal.

Melissa Westphal

Chrysler plant employees will wrap up new contract voting early this morning, giving them and United Auto Workers officials some insight into how Belvidere’s decisions affect the national deal.

Earlier in the week, Belvidere was set to play a bigger role in the overall negotiations. But overwhelming victories — reported as percentages by individual union leaders — in Michigan meant that Belvidere would need most of its 3,800 employees to cast “no” votes to undermine the new contract.

As of Friday, the average of all UAW locals before Belvidere’s vote was 56 percent in favor of the contract. Belvidere’s vote percentage could be released this morning.

Voting on Friday took place at the Community Building Complex of Boone County, 111 W. First St. Employees started filtering into the building before 6:30 a.m. and gathered in groups of three and four in the parking lot afterward to talk about the contract or to air their frustrations.

Some people were angry. One woman raised her voice at a union leader, saying she felt misled by early information and feels less secure with this contract.

Others, like Rockford residents Barry Smith and Alex Manette, voted for the contract.
It could have been worse, they said.

“We’ve got the seniority, so for me, the contract will work,” Smith said. “Our benefits don’t change much. We live to fight another day. I feel bad for the temporary guys, but they need time to build back up.”

The contract has been a tough sell in Belvidere and isn’t supported by the local union’s leadership. Many are upset by the “noncore” classifications, lack of guarantees and the temporary worker issue, which has caused lawsuits and charges of unfair labor practices in Belvidere.

The only provisions in the tentative contract for the temps are that about 40 workers who used to be considered permanent part-time workers would get their old designations back and the “enhanced temporary employees” would receive a $3,000 signing bonus, a perk offered only to them.

Smith said uncertainly exists until the contract is finalized.

“The contract is like the Bible. People read it and interpret it the way they want to,” Smith said.

Union leaders conducted question-and-answer sessions during the day in the building’s main gym.

“The international guys are pushing pretty hard to get us to say yes,” said Jeffery Cole of Rockford, who voted against the contract. “In doing so, they’re trying to use really persuasive tactics.”

Dawn Young has worked eight years for Chrysler and in April transferred to Belvidere from Syracuse, N.Y. Her fiance, Chris Mahan, also works at the plant. Mahan has worked nearly 13 years for Chrysler.

“I could have stayed in New York and dealt with the same stress and the same problems,” Young said. “It’s just sad. You’re constantly wondering where you’re going to be, how you’re going to survive. When is enough enough?”

Young and Mahan both voted against the contract. Young said she thought the recent reinvestment in the plant was a sign of greater job security. Chrysler’s former parent company, Daimler AG, spent $419 million about two years ago retraining workers and fully automating the body shop.

Cole, 48, has worked at the plant for 13 years. He’s concerned that raises promised in the new contract will be eaten up by inflation rates during the next four years.

“At best, we’re going to come out even,” said Cole, who voted no.

Voting should wrap up by 6:30 a.m. today.

Staff reporter Melissa Westphal can be reached at 815-987-1364 or mwestpha@rrstar.com.